Q&A With Monica

What made you choose to become a therapist?

In college I took a basic level counseling course and of all of the liberal arts courses I had taken to that point, counseling and psychology piqued my interest most..  As I continued to learn more about the profession of being a therapist and began to do my own healing, I felt more and more sure that being a therapist was something that would be very important to me. 

What keeps you engaged in your work?

The small, simple moments of healing. Often these are most profound and impactful for people and usually involve the experience of each person finding their own unique truth, confidence or sense of knowing that changes the course of their path. It’s magic and an honor to get to witness. 

What type of client work excites you the most these days?

I love working with people who are finally ready to take the risk of changing their beliefs about themselves, shedding the stories the world has told them and then watching their lives take off. Often this presents as people struggling with perfectionism, over-performance, feeling invisible and trying to date, codependency, trauma  and struggling to take care of themselves or even feel worthy of taking care of themselves.  Additionally I enjoy spending time with couples who need support connecting around intimacy and trust. People who have great intentions of effective communication but keep getting stuck and want to use therapy as a modality to deeper connection, healing and changing patterns for them. 

Tell us about a past client success story.

It’s hard to name just one because so often the success of the client comes in both big triumphant ways and teeny tiny measurements of change that are unique to each person and it’s so meaningful to be a part of both. I was working with a man who prior to our time together, hadn’t considered the impact of trauma on his substance use and shame. We worked together to increase his awareness and understanding and watching him unhook so much shame was truly impactful. He was able to somatically process trauma which he came to realize informed so much of the way he moved through the world and his relationships with himself and his partner. At the end of our work together, we both cried tears of joy and gratitude for the work he had done and the life he was now living. The amount of hope that he and somatic healing instilled in me was profound. 

What do you look for in a healer?

I deeply value healers doing their own work and feel strongly that my own path of healing has contributed profoundly to my ability to be a good therapist.  I’ve sat in front of many healers as a result and believe that people who are capable of prioritizing a relationship with me and working to combine my sense of knowing myself with their gifts, experience and knowledge. I love the use of humor and appreciate when people can be authentic in this relationship. 

What’s it like to sit with you in a session? What have your clients told you it’s like to sit with you in a session?

I have a gift of helping people feel like they can be relaxed enough to be themselves around me so many clients say that sessions together have some ease or lighthearted moments.  Many clients say working with me provides a new perspective or learning on their current or past concerns which allows them to create more self understanding, knowledge or action. A fellow therapist shares a wall with my office and comments frequently about how much laughter she overhears in so many of my sessions. Humor as a coping strategy is effective and celebrated in our work together.  

What do you like to do in your free time?

I spend a great amount of time outside with two small children and one particular dog. In this season of life my partner and I are doing a lot of home remodeling which isn’t necessarily something I enjoy but I am excited about the future outcome.. I love spending time with my extended family and friends as well and squeezing in at home yoga classes and peloton rides.  

What is something that people are often surprised to learn about you?

If there was an award for best stovetop popcorn, I would win it. Let me know if you want me to teach you about the importance of the level of heat on the pan. 

What is one thing you would say to someone who is on the fence about digging in to work on themselves?

Being on the fence is such an important place to be. In true dorky therapist form, I think I’d ask them more questions: What’s good about staying where you are? What’s protective about it? What’s important about it? What would need to shift for you to believe you can manage the depth of this work? What stands waiting for you after you work through this area of focus? Sometimes talking bout the path we might take, the goals you might have or the goals someone else was able to accomplish who stood in similar shoes can be helpful too (if you can’t see it yet for yourself.)